Monoazo dyes substituted by haloalkylcarbamate and sulphonylfluoride groups

ABSTRACT

PCT No. PCT/GB97/01705 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 5, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 5, 1999 PCT Filed Jun. 24, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/49770 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 31, 1997Dyes of formula (1) wherein the variables are as defined in the specification and at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 or a substituent on A being -SO2F or a substituent to which at least one -SO2F group is attached are water-insoluble monoazo dyes useful for coloring synthetic textile materials.

This invention relates to azo dyes and more particularly to water-insoluble monoazo dyes containing the fluorosulphonyl group, to a method for their preparation and to their use for colouring synthetic textile materials.

Our International patent application published as WO 95/20014 describes azo compounds which contain at least one fluorosulphonyl group and are free from water-solubilising groups. The use of these compounds for colouring synthetic textile materials is also described.

It has now been found that certain dyes falling within the general class described in WO 95/20014 but not specifically disclosed therein exhibit advantageous properties when applied as disperse dyes to synthetic textile materials.

Thus, according to the invention, there are provided monoazo dyes which are free from water-solubilising groups and have the formula: ##STR2## wherein A represents an optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical, n represents an integer from 0 to 3, X represents a halogen atom and each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵, independently, represents hydrogen or a substituent, at least one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ or a substituent on A being --SO₂ F or a substituent to which at least one --SO₂ F group is attached.

The dyes of Formula 1 preferably have low solubility in water, typically less than 1%, preferably less than 0.5% and especially less than 0.2% on a weight basis. They are thus free from water-solubilising groups such as sulphonate, carboxylate, phosphonate and quaternary amino groups.

Heterocyclic groups which may be represented by A in the dyes of Formula 1 include thienyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyt, imidazolyl, pyridyl, pyridonyl, 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyridazyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, pyridothiazolyl, pyridoisothiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl and 1,2,4-triazolyl. Carbocyclic groups which may be represented by A include phenyl and naphthyl.

A is preferably thienyl, phenyl, naphthyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridonyl, quinolinyl, more preferably thien-2-yl, phenyl, naphth-1-yl, naphth-2-yl, thiazol-2-yl, isothiazol-5-yl, pyrid-4-on-5-yl or quinolinyl. A is especially preferably thien-2-yl or phenyl.

Examples of suitable substituents for A include cyano, hydroxy, nitro, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, fluorosulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, fluorosulphonylaryl, fluorosulphonylaryloxy, --CO-alkyl, --COO-alkyl, --OCO-alkyl, --CO-aryl, --COO-aryl, --OCO-aryl, --NHCO-alkyl, --NHCO-aryl, --NHSO₂ -alkyl, --NHSO-₂ aryl, --S-alkyl, --S-aryl, --SO₂ -alkyl, --SO₂ -aryl, --SCN or NR⁶ R⁷ in which R⁶ and R⁷ each independently is --H, alkyl, aryl or cycloalkyl.

In all of the suitable substituents for A₁ each alkyl is preferably C₁₋₁₀ -alkyl, each alkoxy is preferably C₁₋₁₀ -alkoxy and those groups having three or more carbon atoms may be straight or branched chain. Each aryl is preferably phenyl or naphthyl and each alkyl, alkoxy or aryl group may carry an --SO₂ F substituent. R⁶ and R⁷ together with the --N atom to which they are attached may form a 5- or 6-membered ring such as morpholino or piperidino.

Preferred substituents for A include cyano, nitro, chloro, bromo, fluorosulphonyl, --C₁₋₆ -alkyl, --C₁₋₆ -alkoxy, --COC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --NHCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --COOC-₁₋₆ -alkyl, phenoxy, 4-SO₂ F-phenyl and 4-SO₂ F-phenoxy.

Substituents which may be represented by R¹ and R² include alkyl and aryl groups which may optionally be substituted by --OH, --CN, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --SO₂ F, alkoxy, alkenyl, phenyl, phenyl-SO₂ F, aryloxy, aryloxy-SO₂ F, --N(alkyl)₂, --OCO-alkyl, --OCO-alkyl-Cl, --COO-alkyl, --COO-alkyl-OH, --COO-alkyl-CN, --COO-alkyl-CO-alkyl, --COO-alkylphenyl, --OCO-phenyl, --CO-phenyl-SO₂ F, --OCO-phenyl-NO₂, --OCO-phenylalkyl, --OCO-phenylalkoxy, --COO-phenyl, --OCO-(fluorosulphonylphenyl), --O-alkyl-CN, --COO-alkyl-O-alkyl, --COO-alkyl-O-phenyl, --OCO-alkyl-O-phenyl, --COO-alkyl-O-alkyl-O-alkyl, --OCO-alkyl-COO-alkyl, --O-alkyl-COO-alkyl, --O-alkyl-COO-alkyl-O-alkyl, --O-alkyl-COO-alkyl-COO-alkyl, --O-alkyl-OCO-alkyl-O-alkyl, --COO-alkyl-OCO-alkyl or --COO-alkyl-COO-alkyl. ##STR3## in which L is --H or alkyl.

Substituents which may be represented by R³, R⁴ and R⁵ particularly include those listed above as suitable substituents for A. All the alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and aryloxy parts of said substituents may optionally be substituted by the atoms or groups listed above as optional substituents for the alkyl and aryl groups represented by R¹ and R².

The halogen atom represented by X may be fluorine or iodine but is preferably chlorine or bromine.

The integer represented by n is preferably 1 or 2.

The compounds of Formula 1 preferably carry a total of from one to three --SO₂ F groups, more preferably one or two --SO₂ F groups and especially one --SO₂ F group.

A preferred sub-group of compounds of Formula 1 comprises compounds of the formula: ##STR4## wherein: X and n are as defined above;

R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --H, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ -alkyl or optionally substituted aryl;

R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --SO₂ F or C₁₋₆ -alkyl, C₁₋₆ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkanoylamino, --NHSO₂ -alkyl or --O-phenyl each of which may be optionally substituted, and

R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently is --H, C₁₋₆ -alkyl, --NO₂, --COOC₁₋₆ alkyl, --OCO-alkyl, --Cl, --F, --Br, --I, --COC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --CN, formyl, protected formyl or --SO₂ F, provided that at least one of R¹ to R⁹ is --SO₂ F or carries a substituent to which at least one --SO₂ F group is attached.

Where R¹³, R¹⁴ or R¹⁵ is or contains alkyl the alkyl may be optionally substituted.

Protected formyl groups include for example oxazolidone, imidazoline, thiazolidine, bisulphite, cyanohydrin, hydrazone and oxime.

The optional substituents for groups represented by R⁸ to R¹⁵ may be selected from any of the substituents described above for A and for R¹ to R⁵ of Formula 1. The optional substituents for R⁸ to R¹⁵ are preferably --CN, --OH, --OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, phenyl, --OCO-phenyl, --OCO-phenyl-SO₂ F, phenyl-SO₂ F, --O-phenyl-SO₂ F, --CO₂ -phenyl-SO₂ F, --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl and --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl.

Preferred compounds of Formula 2 are those in which R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, n-C₃ H₇, --CH(CH₃)₂, --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₄ OH, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --C₄ H₉, --CH₂ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), --C₂ H₄ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), --C₃ H₇ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --Cl, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --NHCOCH₃, --NHCOC₂ H₅, --NHSO₂ CH₃ or --SO₂ F and R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independent is --H, --NO₂, --CN, CH₃, --COCH₃, --COOC₂ H₅, --SO₂ F or --CHO.

Especially preferred compounds of Formula 2 are those in which:

R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₅ or (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl)C₁₋₆ -alkyl;

R¹⁰ is --H, --OCH₃, --CH₃ or --SO₂ F;

R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --Cl, --CH₃, --OCH₃ or --SO₂ F;

R¹³ is --NO₂, --COCH₃, --COOC₂ H₅ or --SO₂ F;

R¹⁴ is --H, --CH₃, --SO₂ F or --Cl, and

R¹⁵ is --NO₂, --SO₂ F or --CHO.

A further preferred sub-group of compounds of Formula (1) are those of the formula: ##STR5## wherein: R¹ to R⁵, n and X are as hereinbefore defined, and

R¹⁶ to R²⁰ each independently is --H, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, --NO₂, --SO₂ F, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --SO₂ -alkyl or --CN.

Where a group represented by R¹⁶ to R²⁰ is alkyl, it is preferably C₁₋₁₀ -alkyl, more preferably C₁₋₆ -alkyl. Where a group represented by R¹⁶ to R²⁰ is alkoxy, it is preferably C₁₋₁₀ -alkoxy more preferably C₁₋₆ -alkoxy.

Preferred compounds of Formula 3 are those in which:

R¹ and R² each independently is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --C₃ H₇, --CH(CH₃)₂, --C₄ H₉, --C₅ H₁₁, --C₆ H₁₃, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --CH₂ -phenyl, --C₂ H₄ -phenyl, --C₃ H₆ -phenyl, --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₄ OH, --C₂ H₄ OCH₃, --C₂ H₄ COOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ COCH₃, --C₂ H₄ COCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCOCH₃, --C₃ H₆ OCOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ OCOCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl-SO₂ F, --C₂ H₄ COOC₂ H₄ OCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OC₂ H₄ COOC₂ H₄ OCH₃, allyl, --C₂ H₄ O-phenyl, --C₂ H₄ O-(fluorosulphonylphenyl), --CH₂ CH(CN)(OC₂ H₄), C₁₋₆ -alkylphenyl-SO₂ F, ##STR6## --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl or --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl

R³ is --H;

R⁴ is --H;

R⁵ is --H, --OCH₃, --OC₂ H₅ or --Cl;

R¹⁶ is --H, --OCH₃, --NO₂, --Cl, --Br or --CN;

R¹⁷ is --H;

R¹⁸ is --SO₂ F or --NO₂ ;

R¹⁹ is --H, --OCH₃, --SO₂ F, --Cl, --Br or --NO₂ ; and

R²⁰ is --H, --OCH₃, --Cl, --Br or --CN.

More preferably, compounds of Formula 3 are those in which:

R¹ and R² each independently is --C₂ H₅, --C₄ H₉, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ OCOCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl, --CH₂ -phenyl, C₁₋₆ -alkylphenyl-SO₂ F, C₁₋₆ -alkyl-O-phenylSO₂ F, ##STR7## --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl or --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl;

R⁴ is --H;

R⁵ is --H, --C₁₋₆ -alkoxy or --O-phenyl;

each of R³ and R¹⁷ is --H;

R¹⁶ and R¹⁹ each independently is --H, --Cl, --Br or --NO₂ ;

R¹⁸ is --H or --SO₂ F; and

R²⁰ is --H, --Cl, --Br or CN.

An especially preferred sub-group of compounds of Formula 1 are those of the Formula: ##STR8## in which X and n are as defined above; R²¹ and R²² each independently is optionally substituted C₁₋₆ -alkyl;

R²³ is --H or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy;

R²⁴ is --CN, --NO₂ or --Cl; and

R²⁵ and R²⁶ each independently is --H, --Cl, --Br or --CN.

In the dyes of Formula 4,

R²¹ and R²² each independently is preferably C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkyl substituted by phenyl or --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, and more preferably is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, hexyl, benzyl, ethylphenyl or propylphenyl.

The dyes of Formula 1 may be prepared using conventional methods for the preparation of azo compounds. In particular, they may be prepared by diazotising an aromatic amine of formula A-NH₂ and coupling the resulting diazo compound with a coupling component of the formula: ##STR9## wherein A, n, X, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are as hereinbefore defined, the diazotisable aromatic amine and the coupling component being free from water-solubilising groups.

The diazotisation and coupling reactions may be performed using conditions conventionally employed for the type of reactant involved. Typically, the amine A-NH₂ may be diazotised in an acidic medium, such as acetic, propionic or hydrochloric acid, using a nitrosating agent such as nitrosylsulphuric acid, sodium nitrite or methyl nitrite at a temperature of from -10° C. to 10° C. Coupling with the coupling component of Formula 5 may be achieved by adding the diazotised amine to the coupling component in an alkanol such as methanol at a temperature of from 0° C. to 10° C. After coupling, the compound of Formula 1 may be recovered from the reaction mixture by any convenient means such as by filtration.

The azo compounds of Formula 1 are useful as disperse dyes and are valuable for colouring synthetic textile materials and fibre blends containing such materials.

The synthetic textile material may be selected from secondary cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile and aromatic polyester. The synthetic textile material is preferably polyamide such as polyhexamethylene adipamide or aromatic polyester, especially polyethylene terephthalate. Fibre blends may comprise mixtures of different synthetic textile materials or mixtures of synthetic and natural textile materials. Preferred fibre blends include those of polyester-cellulose such as polyester-cotton. The textile materials or blends thereof may be in the form of filaments, loose fibres, yam or woven or knitted fabrics.

The azo compound of Formula 1 or mixture thereof, optionally in conjunction with other disperse dyes, may be applied to the synthetic textile materials or fibre blends thereof by processes which are conventionally employed in applying disperse dyes to such materials and fibre blends.

Suitable process conditions include the following:

i) exhaust dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 125° C. to 140° C. for from 10 to 120 minutes and under a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar, a sequestrant optionally being added;

ii) continuous dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 190° C. to 225° C. for from 15 seconds to 5 minutes, a migration inhibitor optionally being added;

iii) printing direct at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 160° C. to 185° C. for from 4 to 15 minutes for high temperature steaming, or at a temperature of from 190° C. to 225° C. for from 15 seconds to 5 minutes for bake fixation with dry heat or at a temperature of from 120° C. to 140° C. and 1 to 2 bar for from 10 to 45 minutes for pressure steaming, wetting agents and thickeners (such as alginates) of from 5 to 100% by weight of the dye optionally being added;

iv) discharge printing (by padding the dye on to the textile material, drying and overprinting) at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, migration inhibitors and thickeners optionally being added;

v) carrier dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 95° C. to 100° C. using a carrier such as methylnaphthalene, diphenylamine or 2-phenylphenol, sequestrants optionally being added; and

vi) atmospheric dyeing of acetate, triacetate and nylon at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of 85° C. for acetate or at a temperature of 90° C. for triacetate and nylon for from 15 to 90 minutes, sequestrants optionally being added.

In all the above processes, the compound of Formula 1 or mixture thereof may suitably be applied as a dispersion comprising from 0.001% to 4% by weight of the azo compound or mixture thereof in aqueous medium.

The dyes of the invention generally provide coloured textile material exhibiting excellent fastness to washing, light and heat. In particular, the dyes of Formula 1 show superior wash fastness compared with the corresponding dyes described in WO 95/20014 having a group of the formula --NHCO-alkyl or --NHCO₂ -alkyl in place of the group of formula --NHCO₂ (CH₂)nCH₂ X.

Compositions comprising dispersions of the compounds of Formula 1 may be formulated. The compositions typically comprise from 1% to 3% by weight of a compound of Formula 1 in an aqueous medium which is preferably buffered at pH 2 to 7, more preferably at pH 4 to 6.

The dye dispersions may further comprise ingredients conventionally used in coloration applications such as dispersing agents, for example lignosulphonates, naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensates or phenol/cresollsulphanilic acid/formaldehyde condensates, surfactants, wetting agents such as alkyl aryl ethoxylates which may be sulphonated or phosphated, inorganic salts, de-foamers such as mineral oils or nonanol, organic liquids and buffers. Dispersing agents may be present at from 10% to 200% on the weight of the azo compound of Formula 1. Wetting agents may be used at from 0% to 20% on the weight of the azo compound of Formula 1. Suitable dispersions may be prepared by bead milling the compound of Formula 1 with glass beads or sand in an aqueous medium.

The invention is illustrated but not limited by the following examples.

In the Examples, all λ_(max) values were measured in CH₂ Cl₂.

EXAMPLES 1-13

Dyes having structures identified by the following formula and table were prepared as described below: ##STR10##

    ______________________________________                                         Example   R.sup.24 R.sup.26 X     R.sup.21                                                                             R.sup.22                               ______________________________________                                          1        H        NO.sub.2 Cl    H     Me                                        2 Cl NO.sub.2 Cl H Me                                                          3 Cl NO.sub.2 Br H Me                                                          4 Br NO.sub.2 Br H Me                                                          5 Br NO.sub.2 Cl H Me                                                          6 Cl NO.sub.2 Cl Et Me                                                         7 Cl NO.sub.2 Cl Me Ph                                                         8 Br Br Cl Me Ph                                                               9 CN CN Cl Me Ph                                                              10 Br Br Br Et Me                                                              11 CN CN Br Et Me                                                              12 Br NO.sub.2 Cl Me Ph                                                        13 CN NO.sub.2 Cl Me Ph                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Example 1

β-Chloroethyl chloroformate (0.018 mol) was added slowly to a stirred mixture of 3-N,N-diethylamino-4-methoxyaniline (0.018 mol) and potassium carbonate (0.018 mol) in dichloromethane. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 2 h and then the mixture was filtered and the filtrate collected and evaporated to dryness to yield the 3-N,N-diethylamino-4-methoxy-N-(β-chloroethyloxycarbonyl)aniline coupler as a brown gum. 2-Nitro-4-fluorosulphonylaniline* (0.01 mol) was dispersed in a mixture of acetic:propionic acid (86:14, 25 ml), cooled to 0-5° C., and nitrosylsulphunc acid (0.01 mol) was added portionwise at 0-5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. at 0-5° C. then added dropwise to a mixture of the 3-N,N-diethylamino-4-methoxy-N-(β-chloroethyloxycarbonyl)aniline coupler (0.01 mol), methanol (50 ml) and ice (50 g). The resultant precipitate was filtered, washed with water and then methanol and oven dried at 50° C. to yield dye (1) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 587 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 2

As Example 1 but using 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-chloroaniline* in place of 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-aniline to yield dye (2) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 592 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 3

As Example 2 but using β-bromoethyl chloroformate in place of β-chloroethyl chlorofornate to yield dye (3) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 596 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 4

As Example 3 but using 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-bromoaniline* in place of 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-chloroaniline to yield dye (4) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 600 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 5

As Example 2 but using 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-bromoaniline in place of 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-chloroaniline to yield dye (5) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 600 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 6

As Example 2 but using 3-(N-secbutyl-N-ethylamino)-4-methoxyaniline in place 3-N,N-diethylamino-4-methoxyaniline to yield dye (6) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 596 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Example 7

As Example 2 but using 3-(N-sopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxyaniline in place 3-N,N-diethylamino-4-methoxyaniline to yield dye (7) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 578 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Examples 8 and 9

β-Chloroethyl chloroformate (0.018 mol) was added slowly to a stirred mixture of 3-(N-isopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxyaniline (0.018 mol) and potassium carbonate (0.018 mol) in dichloromethane. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 2 h and then the mixture was filtered and the filtrate collected and evaporated to dryness to yield the 3-(N-isopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxy-N-(β-chloroethyloxycarbonyleanitine coupler as a brown gum. 2,6-Dibromo-4-fluorosulphonylaniline* (0.01 mol) was dispersed in a mixture of acetic:propionic acid (86:14, 25 ml), cooled to 0-5° C., and nitrosylsulphuric acid (0.01 mol) was added portionwise at 0-5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. at 0-5° C. and then added dropwise to a mixture of the 3-(N-isopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxy-N-(β-chloroethyloxycarbonyl)aniline coupler in methanol (50 ml) and ice (50 g). The resultant precipitate was filtered, washed with water and then methanol and oven dried at 50° C. to yield dye (8) as a red solid (λ_(max) 502 nm). Copper (I) cyanide (0.02 mol) was added to a solution of dye (8) in dimethylformamide (10 ml) and the mixture was stirred for 30 min. The mixture was drowned out into ice and the precipitate collected by filtration, washed with water and oven dried to yield dye (9) as a bluelgreen solid (λ_(max) 632 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Examples 10 and 11

As Examples 8 and 9 but using 3-(N-secbutyl-N-ethylamino)-4-methoxyaniline in place of 3-(N-isopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxyaniline, and β-bromoethyl chloroformate in place of β-chloroethyl chloroformate to yield dye (10) as a red solid (λ_(max) 516 nm), and subsequently dye (11) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 624 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Examples 12 and 13

As Examples 8 and 9 but using 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonyl-6-bromoaniline in place of 2,6-dibromo-4-fluorosulphonylaniline to yield dye (12) as a violet solid, and subsequently dye (13) as a bluelgreen solid (λ_(max) 624 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

Examples 14 and 15

As Examples 8 and 9 but using (3-N,N-diethylaminoaniline in place of 3-(N-isopropyl-N-benzylamino)-4-methoxyaniline to yield dye (14) as an orange-brown solid (λ_(max) 478 nm), and subsequently dye (15) as a blue/green solid (λ_(max) 600 nm) that gives good fastness to washing, light and heat.

*The preparation of the 4-fluorosulphonylanilines are reported in WO 95/20014.

Example 16 ##STR11##

As Example 1 except using 3-(N-ethyl-N4'-fluorosulphonylphenylethyl)amino-4-methoxyaniline** in place of 3-N,N-diethyl-4-methoxyaniline, and 2,4-dinitro-6-bromoaniline in place of 2-nitro-4-fluorosulphonylaniline to yield dye (16) (λ_(max) 600 nm and 604 nm).

**The preparation of 3-(N-ethyl-N4'-fluorosulphonylphenylethyl)amino-4-methoxyacetanilide is reported in WO 95/20014. Acetyl hydrolysis is achieved using 2:1:1 methylated spirits 74 o.p./conc. hydrochloric acid water to yield 3-(N-ethyl-N-4'-fluorosulphonylphenylethyl)amino-4-methoxyaniline 

I claim:
 1. A monoazo dye which is free from water-solubilising groups and has the formula: ##STR12## wherein A represents an optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical, n represents an integer from 0 to 3, X represents a halogen atom and each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵, independently, represents hydrogen or a substituent, at least one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ or a substituent on A being --SO₂ F or a substituent to which at least one --SO₂ F group is attached.
 2. A monoazo dye according to claim 1 having the formula: ##STR13## wherein: X and n are as defined in claim 1;R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --H, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ -alkyl or optionally substituted aryl; R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I , --SO₂ F or C₁₋₆ -alkyl, C₁₋₆ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkanoylamino, --NHSO₂ -alkyl or --O-phenyl each of which may be optionally substituted, and R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently is --H, C₁₋₆ -alkyl, --NO₂, --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --OCO-alkyl, --Cl, --F, --Br, --I, --COC₁₋₆ -alkyl, --CN, formyl, protected formyl or --SO₂ F provided that at least one of R⁸ to R¹⁵ is --SO₂ F or carries a substituent to which at least one --SO₂ F group is attached.
 3. A monoazo dye according to claim 2, wherein:R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, n-C₃ H₇, --CH(CH₃)₂, --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₄ OH, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --C₄ H₉, --CH₂ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), --C₂ H₄ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), --C₃ H₇ (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl), R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --Cl, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --NHCOCH₃, --NHCOC₂ H₅, --NHSO₂ CH₃ or --SO₂ F, and R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently is --H, --NO₂, --CN, CH₃, --COCH₃, --COOC₂ H₅, --SO₂ F or --CHO.
 4. A monoazo dye according to claim 3, wherein:R⁸ and R⁹ each independently is --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₅ or (4-fluorosulphonylphenyl)C₁₋₆ -alkyl; R¹⁰ is --H, --OCH₃, --CH₃ or --SO₂ F; R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is --H, --Cl, --CH₃, --OCH₃ or --SO₂ F; R¹³ is --NO₂, --COCH₃, --COOC₂ H₅ or --SO₂ F; R¹⁴ is --H, --CH₃, --SO₂ F or --Cl, and R¹⁵ is --NO₂, --SO₂ F or --CHO.
 5. A monoazo dye according to claim 1 having the formula: ##STR14## wherein: R¹ to R⁵, n and X are defined in claim 1, andR¹⁶ to R²⁰ each independently is --H, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, --NO₂, --SO₂ F, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --SO₂ -alkyl or --CN.
 6. A monoazo dye according to claim 5, wherein:R¹ and R² each independently is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --C₃ H₇, --CH(CH₃)₂, --C₄ H₉, --C₅ H₁₁, --C₆ H₁₃, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --CH₂ -phenyl, --C₂ H₄ -phenyl, --C₃ H₆ -phenyl, --C₂ H₄ CN, --C₂ H₄ OH, --C₂ H₄ OCH₃, --C₂ H₄ COOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ COCH₃, --C₂ H₄ COCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCOCH₃, --C₃ H₆ OCOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ OCOCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl-SO₂ F, --C₂ H₄ COOC₂ H₄ OCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OC₂ H₄ COOC₂ H₄ OCH₃, allyl, --C₂ H₄ O-phenyl, --C₂ H₄ O-(fluorosulphonylphenyl), --CH₂ CH(CN)(OC₂ H₄), C₁₋₆ -alkylphenyl-SO₂ F, ##STR15## --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl or --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl R³ is --H; R⁴ is --H; R⁵ is --H, --OCH₃, --OC₂ H₅ or --Cl; R¹⁶ is --H, --OCH₃, --NO₂, --Cl, --Br or --CN; R¹⁷ is --H; R¹⁸ is --SO₂ F or --NO₂ ; R¹⁹ is --H, --OCH₃, --SO₂ F, --Cl, --Br or --NO₂ ; and R²⁰ is --H, --OCH₃, --Cl, --Br or --CN.
 7. A monoazo dye according to claim 6, wherein:R¹ and R² each independently is --C₂ H₅, --C₄ H₉, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ CH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCOCH₃, --C₄ H₈ OCOCH₃, --C₂ H₄ OCO-phenyl, --CH₂ -phenyl, C₁₋₆ -alkylphenyl-SO₂ F, C₁₋₆ -alkyl-O-phenylSO₂ F, ##STR16## --COOC₁₋₆ alkyl-OCOC₁₋₆ -alkyl or --COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl-COOC₁₋₆ -alkyl; R⁴ is --H; R⁵ is --H, --C₁₋₆ -alkoxy or --O-phenyl; each of R³ and R¹⁷ is --H; R¹⁶ and R¹⁹ each independently is --H, --Cl, --Br or --NO₂ ; R¹⁸ is --H or --SO₂ F; and R²⁰ is --H, --Cl, --Br or CN.
 8. A monoazo dye according to claim 7 having the formula: ##STR17## in which X and n are as defined in claim 1; R²¹ and R²² each independently is optionally substituted C₁₋₆ -alkyl;R²³ is --H or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; R²⁴ is --CN, --NO₂ or --Cl; and R²⁵ and R²⁶ each independently is --H, --Cl, --Br or --CN.
 9. A method for the preparation of a monoazo dye according to claim 1 which comprises diazotising an aromatic amine of formula A-NH₂ and coupling the resulting diazo compound with a coupling component of the formula: ##STR18## wherein A, n, X, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are as defined in claim 1, the diazotisable aromatic amine and the coupling component being free from water-solubilising groups.
 10. A process for colouring a synthetic textile material or a fibre blend thereof which comprises applying thereto a monoazo dye according to any one of claims 1 to
 8. 